This Day in Rock History: October 23

On this day in rock history, the Beatles completed their second album – but in a manner that had very little in common with their debut.

Please Please Me, after all, had been a marathon session, concluding as the group nailed "Twist and Shout" in a single take. By contrast, sessions for the subsequent With the Beatles were held over a series of dates between the summer and fall of 1963. And they finished this time with a much less exciting overdub, adding tambourine onto "I Wanna Be Your Man."

Def Leppard later took the idea of a world tour to whole new level on this date, playing three concerts on three continents in a feat recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. They did acoustic shows in Tangier, Morocco (where they were on stage as midnight struck) then London, England and finally – much later that evening – in Vancouver, Canada.

Genesis' sophomore release offered initial hints as to where the more-progressive-leaning band was headed – moving determinedly away from their debut's pop-oriented feel. Frank Zappa's very eclectic Chunga's Revenge also arrived.

Watch an exciting recap of many of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these important events by clicking the links below.

News Anniversaries:
The Beatles finish recording their second album (1963)
Def Leppard plays on three continents in one day (1995)